Presentation PFC Ludogorets Razgrad

GAMES Anderlecht has to face PFC Ludogorets Razgrad from Bulgaria in the next round of the Conference League. Not a familiar name, but also a club not to be underestimated. We introduce them briefly.


History

Founded in 2001, PFK Ludogorets 1945 is the historic successor to its namesake, founded but defunct, in 1945. Over the past decade, Ludogorets has been just about the all-winner in Bulgaria. It has captured the national title every year since 2012. It also won two cups and the Super Cup six times.

This season

Ludogorets is currently second in Bulgaria's top league with 35 points from 14 games. Leader CSKA Sofia has seven more points, but has also played three more games. During the World Cup, by the way, the league in Bulgaria continues as usual.

Europa League

Ludogorets entered the Europa League because it lost to Dinamo Zagreb in the third preliminary round of the Champions League. At home, Ludogorets went down 1-2. In Zagreb they lost 4-2. Then, in the last preliminary round of the Europa League, it defeated Zalgiris of Lithuania (3-3 and 1-0).

In the Europa League, the Bulgarians finished third in a group with AS Roma (2-1 win and 3-1 loss), Betis Sevilla (3-2 and 0-1 loss) and HJK Helsinki (1-1 and 2-0 win).

Coach 

Coach of Ludogorets has been Ante Simundza since this winter. To the true soccer connoisseur, that name might ring a bell: in 2001, the Slovenian was briefly active as a striker at La Louvière. In 2008, Simundza began his coaching career as an assistant at Maribor. Between 2017 and 2021, he was successful at Mura in Slovenia. On Jan. 3 of this year, Ludogorets appointed him as their new coach. With the national title and the supercup, he won two trophies since then.

Players

A year ago, two former Anderlecht players still played at Ludogorets: Stephane Badji and José Sa. Badji moved to Eyüpspor in Turkey in January and Sa to Rio Ave in Portugal in August.

With goalkeeper Sergio Padt and defender Igor Plastun, there are currently two ex-Gent players in the starting lineup at Ludogorets. Midfielder Jakub Piotrowski has a past at Racing Genk and Beveren.

Strikers Bernhard Tekpetey and Matias Tissera both already scored seven goals in the league. Brazilian midfielder Cauly also already stands at four goals. The player with the highest market value is currently right-winger Kiril Despodov (once scouted by Anderlecht) with 3.5 million euros.

Ludogorets played its last match (Thursday against AS Roma) with: Padt, Witry (87' Delev), Verdon, Nedyalkov, Cicinho (87' Gruper), Piotrowski (71' Nonato), Pedro Naressi, Tekpetey (71' Despodov), Cauly, Rick, Thiago (71' Tissera)

European suspensions

Left back Anton Nedyalkov, right back Cicinho and defensive midfielder Piotrowski will miss the outward match against Anderlecht due to a yellow suspension. Central defender Verdon received a red card in the last group game against Roma and is also suspended.